The Canadian government has called Union of Postal Workers (CUPW) to publicly apologize for putting the union bulletin about the criminal activities of the Israeli regime. According to the government, the relationship should not use the newsletter to “attacks on Israel.”

In the March bulletin released information about Canada’s involvement on the side of Israel, identified as a key role in Israel’s war crimes. The case was described by the Toronto Sun newspaper.

“Canada can and allows Israel to terrorize the people in the occupied territories in violation of international law, demolition of houses, building walls and checkpoints in the prison-style theft of natural resources and the occupied people,” – says union newsletter.

Topic in general and text published in the newsletter was criticized by Steven Fletcher the government minister responsible for postal services. He said that the union should apologize for using a newsletter to spread anti-Israeli rhetoric. Also accused of using of federal money for political activities, despite last year Unions has refused to fund union activists out of their Palestinian supporting conference in Brazil.

The Canadian Union of Postal Workers is well known for its activities in terms of the issues not directly related to labor matters, not surprisingly taking other issues in the union newsletter.

Israeli President Shimon Peres thanked Canada for the suspension of diplomatic relations with Iran. “I hope that other countries will follow the footsteps of Canada, the model of morality” – said Peres.
“Canada has once again proven that morality is more important than pragmatism” – said Peres. Israeli president also wrote that it is not acceptable for one member of the United Nations (Iran) threatened to destroy the other (Israel). “This is completely contrary to the Charter of the United Nations” – he stressed. Peres warn Iran against nuclear armament. “The combination of hegemonic aspirations, political madness and nuclear weapons threat to the whole world that needs to oppose this” – Shimon Peres said.
On 7th September Canada closed its embassy in Iran and announced that it released from its territory within five days all Iranian diplomats. Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird described the authorities in Tehran as “the biggest threat to the security of the world”.
Iranian leaders have repeatedly called for “wiping Israel off the map”. Israeli authorities believe that Iran is having nuclear weapons which is a threat to the existence of a Jewish state and has threatened of prevention attack. Tehran denies that is in possession of nuclear weapons or working on its development.

Jewish Association in Montreal may find its roots since 1759, when the first Jewish settlers arrived in Canada. As a result of socio-economic conditions existing in Russia in the second mid-1800s many Jewish immigrants fled to Canada seeking for asylum and better life for families, most of them chose Canadian city called Montreal.
These immigrants have built very important religious and social institutions that have survived to today in Montreal. In fact, until the early sixties of the twentieth century Montreal served as a “capital” of Canadian Jews. Among other book, the “Israel Medres’book Montreal” tells the story of Canadian jews which was first published in Yiddish in 1947 and has only recently been translated into English by the Vivian Felsen a translator from Toronto. The book is a collection of several articles that previously appeared in installments every two weeks in Montreal Yiddish newspaper called “Keneder Odler” (“Jewish Daily Eagle”). As stated in the Preface, these short articles serve as a nice commentary on the history of the Jewish community in Montreal.
The book is very interesting and instructive for all who want to experience it like to live in Montreal Jewish immigrants at the turn of last century.

Canada’s relationship with Israel began in 1947. Canada strongly supported Israel in the pursuit of peace and helped to stabilize relationships with Israel’s neighbors. In 2009 Canada and Israel celebrated the 60th anniversary of the official signing of the common peace relationship decree between these countries. Moreover, this strong relationship is also due to the fact that in Israel lives 20,000 Canadians and the Jewish minority in Canada is approximately 350,000 Israelites. So large emigration creates a bridge between these two countries which results in significant cooperation between in business, philanthropy, and tourism. Canada and Israel have an active program of professional and academic exchanges, with many Canadian artists visiting Israel. A cultural and education Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed in 1999. Frequent visits of ministers of both countries are not uncommon. They resulted in a number of bilateral agreements in place, including one on Film and Videotape Production and on Mutual Legal Assistance. Both countries jointly carry out research on the development of innovative technologies. There are also a number of sub-national agreements between Israel and certain provinces, including Manitoba and Ontario.

Trade relationship between Canada and Israel has already more than 60 years of tradition. It is estimated that current bilateral exchange of goods between these countries has tripled and reached a value of over $ 1.8 billion in 2008. Significant role in such a spectacular result has free trade agreement which was signed in 1997. Since then, opportunities for Canadian companies have been on the upswing. Current Government of Israel wants to invest in projects related to renewable energy and attracts Canadian companies with many economic stimulus packages. It is expected that 2.5% of Israel’s power needs at an estimated cost of $700 million. Till 2020, Israel wants to have 10% of its energy needs from renewable sources, mainly through introducing new projects based not only on solar technology but also on wind. The Government of Israel will soon establish resolution related to development of land and sea infrastructure. Canadian companies also want to look for joint venture opportunities with Israeli companies on third country markets, especially in life sciences, information and communications technology, aerospace and defence and security. Finding a local partner Canadian companies will have the possibility to expand into new markets not only in Israel but also in markets of third world countries as India.

Despite the long-term trade relationship between Israel and Canada the real warming didn’t occurred until 2006 when the Canadian government changed and Stephen Harper became Prime Minister. This was the peak moment of bilateral and diplomatic relationships. Canada stopped funding UNRWA, the agency which helps Palestinian refugees, and reallocated it to Fayyad’s security project. The new priority in foreign policy of Canadian government was to ensure and maintain the security in Israel. At the beginning of 2009, Canada assisted the Israel in the war against rebels in Kandahar by sending their drones. During United Nation General Assembly in November the Prime Minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu thanked especially Canada for its support to Israel and its right of self-defense. All this had a result in trade relationship between Canada
and Israel. It has increased by 86 percent since 2004, and tripled since 1996 when Canada and Israel signed a bilateral free trade agreement. In the near future to encourage Canadian companies to cooperate with the Israeli companies the Government of Israel will introduce subsidies for such projects. This is just the beginning because Israel is currently in developing stage and opportunities for cooperation are huge. Canadian companies which would like to enter the Israeli market, but do not know how to do it, can ask for help in organizations, specially created for this purpose.